Electrical-fixture-supporting device



Aug. 31 1926. R. B. BENJAMIN ELECTRICAL FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE File My 20, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 31 1926. 1,598,038

R. B. BENJAMIN ELECTRICAL FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE File ay 20, 1921 2shets sheez 2 Human 1 Il mam??? Patented Aug. 31, 19269 i'TiED STAT ESPATENT OFFICQ.

REUBEN IB. BENJAMIN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN ELECTRICMIANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICAL-FIXTUREUPPORTING DEVICE.

Application filed May 20, 192-1. Serial No. 471,078.

My invention relates to electrical fixture supporting devices andconnections there'- for;

One of the objects'of my invention is to provide an improved fixturesupporting device in""which the fixture can be readily connectedanddisconnected with respect to the receptacle both electrically and me-vchanically.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a device which willbe simple in construction, cheap to manufacture and durable andeiiicient in use.

Further objects will appear from the de tailed description to follow andfrom the appended claims.

In the drawings in which two embodiments ofmy invention are shown Fig. 1is an axialsection of an'electrical fixture with a support andelectrical connections, the section being substantially on the line 11of Fig.

Fig. 2 is a "front view of the receptacle and face-plate;

Fig. a'is a perspective view of the mechanical connector member and theplugs mounted thereon Fig. 4 is a front elevation showing the connectormember in position with respect Fig. '5 is a rear view of the receptacleand face-plate;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a diiierent formof fixtureand connector device; and

Fig.7 is a section showing the connection between the fixture andmechanical connector of Fig. 6.

Reterringto Figsi 1 to 5 inclusive, the

construction shown therein comprises'a fixture'10(the stem 11 and canopy12' alone being shown) a receptacle 13', a plug-in device l t, forelectrically connecting the fixture 10 with the receptacle 18, and a mechanical connecting and supporting member 15 in the form of a bracketfor mechanically connecting the fixture with respect to the receptacle.

As shown in Fig. 3 the plug-in device 1 1 is carried by the mechanicalconnector member 15, being slidably mounted thereon, 1

to permit the necessary movement of the mechanical connector 15 formaklng the mechanical connectlon-without mtertering with the insertionof the contact blades. 16 of the plug-in device let into the openings 17provided in the receptacle.

The mechanical connector member 15 is secured to a supporting plate 18"(which may be a sort of cover for the outlet' box) by means of four hookmembers 19,, which book over the edges otthe openings in the supportingplate 18; The connection between the member 15 and the; supporting theopenings 17. This sliding-engagement of the pltw-in device 14 ontheconnecting member "15 is effected by means of a pair of lugs 20, struckup'tromthe material'ot the connecting member-'15, and overlying portionsof the insulating base 21 on which the contact blades 16are' mounted.

The greater part ofthetrontof the connecting member 15 is open as shownin Figi l to permit access to the binding screws 22 which are screwedinto the con 7 tact blades" 16. 'However', retaining wings or ears 23are-formed on the supporting member 15 to hold theinsulati-ng'base 21 inposition, this insulatingbase being slidably mounted between the wings'23 and thefllu-gs 20. The lugs 20 may be bent down after the-insulatingbase 21 is placed in position."-

In order to securely hold the connector member 15 iii-connectedposition, a pair of bent leaf springs12 i, is provided; These springsmay be formed as a part of an integral sheet metal stamping 25 securedin place between the receptacle 13- and the plate 18. The free ends ofthese springs 24: engage the upper hooks 19 to prevent the connectingmember 15 from being accidentally lifted up and disconnected.

The fixture 10 is secured to the connector member 15 by means of atransversely extending strap 26 (Figs. 1 and 4) the ends of which aresecured to the canopy 12 and the central portion of which is slippedbehind the upstanding post 27 which extends upwardly from theconnectormember 15. v

Suitable binding screws 28 are provided for the contacts 29 of thereceptacle 13. A suitable ornamental finishing plate or es-o in place.The connection is effected by presenting the connector member inposition with respect to the receptacle so that the blades 16 can bepushed into the receptacle 13, and the hooksIlQ pushed through theopening in the supporting plate 18. After the hookshave been pushed infar enough, the connector member 15 is slipped down, to engage the hooks19 in back of the plate 18. After the connector member 15 is inposition, the fixture is-secured to it by slipping the strap 26 inbehind the post 27, the wiring for the fixture 10, being sufficientlyslack to permit this manner of assembly.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is substantially the same asthat just described, except that here the fixture 31 is rigidly securedwith respect to the mechanical connecting andsupporting member 32, inthe form of a bracket, by a connection shown in'detail inFig. 7. Theplug-in device 14 is the same as in the form previously described, andits connection with the mechanical connector member is the same as inthe form previously described. The con nection between the mechanicalconnecting member and the supporting plate ,18 is also the same as inthe form previously described. In some cases it is necessary or requiredthat the fixture 31 shall be insulated with respect to the outlet box.In the present instance, this is efiected .by theconnection shown indetail in Fig. 7. The fixture plate 33 is se cured to the connectingmember 32 by means of a screw 34 threaded into the fixture plate, aninsulating washer 35 and insulating bushing 36 being provided toinsulate the fixture plate 33 from the connecting member 32.

The mechanical connecting members 15 and 32 may be formed of an integralsheet metal stampinghaving portions struck up to form the hook members19, the retaining i lugs 20 and the post 27. v

In the construction shown in Figs. 6' and V 7 the fixture iselectrically and mechanically connected simply by pushing the blades 16inwardly into engagement. with the contacts of the receptacle, until thehook members 19 are in back of the supporting plate 18, and then drawingthe fixture 31 and its supporting member 32 downwardly to engage thehook members 19 in back of the supporting plate 18.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1, A receptacle havingcontacts, a fiat'supporting plate in front of said receptacle, andhaving an opening therein affording access to said receptacle, saidreceptacle being substantially flush with said supporting plate, andmeans for mechanically supporting a fixture in position with respect tosaid re ceptacle comprising a bracket having hooks which pass throughsaid supporting plate and hook in behind it and means for electricallyconnectingsaid fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising aplug, having contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, slidablymounted onv said bracket, whereby said hooks can be hooked behind saidplate after the plug contacts have entered the receptacle, and latchingmeans for holding said bracket connected with said plate, said latchingmeans acting between said supporting plate and bracket being mounted onsaid supporting plate.

'2. A receptacle having contacts, a flat supporting plate in front ofsaid receptacle, and having an opening therein afiording access to saidreceptacle, said receptacle being substantially flush with saidsupporting plate,

and means for mechanically supporting a fixture in position with respectto said receptacle comprising a bracket having hooks which pass throughsaid supporting plate and hook in behind it and means for electricallyconnecting said fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising aplug, having contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, slidablymounted on said bracket, whereby said hooks can be hooked behind saidplate after the plug contacts have entered the receptacle, and springlatching means for holding said bracket connected with said plate, saidspring latching means actingbetween said supporting plate and bracketbeing mounted on said supporting plate.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribe my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

